Sports – Page 755 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Chiefs QB Smith takes responsibility for offense

Posted on September 18, 2014September 18, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – The past two weeks, when the Kansas City Chiefs have struggled to score touchdowns in the red zone, Andy Reid has insisted that he needs to put his players in better position to succeed.

What happens when he puts the Chiefs in a bad position, though?

Well, the Chiefs are paying quarterback Alex Smith a bunch of cash to get them out of it.

Smith said Wednesday that while his coach often takes responsibility for the shortcomings of the offense, the burden lies on the players to execute on the field.

For Smith, who just signed a new contract extension, that means making wise decisions with the ball – and checking out of bad plays that Reid may have called.

Royals rough up Sale, White Sox to close AL Central gap

Posted on September 17, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Lorenzo Cain hit a three-run homer, Nori Aoki kept up his tear at the plate and the Kansas City Royals roughed up Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale in a 6-2 victory Wednesday night that kept the pressure on Detroit in the AL Central.

The first-place Tigers led the Royals by 1 1/2 games at the start of the night.

Alcides Escobar also homered for a Royals offense that had been scuffling for weeks, and Aoki went 3 for 4 to finish with 11 hits in the series. Yordano Ventura (13-10) allowed three hits and two walks over seven innings, the lone run off him coming on a sacrifice fly.

Meanwhile, Sale (12-4) was cuffed for a season-high five earned runs on nine hits over five innings. It was arguably the three-time All-Star’s worst start since Aug. 23, 2013, when he gave up eight runs over seven innings in a loss to the Rangers.

The White Sox loaded the bases with nobody out in the third inning, and Adam Eaton staked them to a lead with his sacrifice fly. But Ventura calmly struck out the next two batters to get out of trouble, and then kept Chicago guessing with a blazing fastball all night.

It didn’t take Kansas City long to take the lead for good.

In the bottom of the third, Escobar and Aoki hit back-to-back singles before Cain sent a pitch over the left-field wall. The three-run homer was the first allowed by Sale on a 0-2 count in his career — 164 appearances and nearly 670 batters over parts of five seasons.

Escobar added his solo shot with two outs in the fourth. His third homer of the season and first since May 11 landed in almost the exact same spot as Cain’s home run.

Aoki doubled in the first inning, singled in the third and fourth and walked in the sixth, earning a standing ovation. His 11 hits against the White Sox broke the Royals record for a three-game series that had been shared by George Brett (1982) and Willie Wilson (1980).

It was also the first time a Kansas City player had three hits in three straight games since Mike Sweeney accomplished the feat from July 8-10, 2005, according to STATS.

TRAINER’S ROOM

White Sox: DH-1B Paul Konerko, out since breaking his left hand on Sept. 2, will likely return this weekend in Tampa Bay. “Give him a couple of at-bats and if he’s up for it he can probably DH one of those games and see how it feels,” manager Robin Ventura said.

Royals: INF Christian Colon (broken middle finger) was placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Sept. 7. There was no word on whether the Royals are adding another player to the roster.

UP NEXT

White Sox: LHP Jose Quintana (8-10, 3.30 ERA) starts Friday night’s opener in Tampa Bay.

Royals: LHP Jason Vargas (11-9, 3.41) tries to bounce back from a loss to Boston in the opener of a crucial three-game series against the Tigers on Friday night.

— Associated Press —

Wainwright throws complete-game against Brewers to earn 19th win

Posted on September 17, 2014

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Adam Wainwright posted his 19th win, pitching a shutout Wednesday night as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Milwaukee Brewers 2-0 to hold their 2 1/2-game edge in the NL Central.

Wainwright (19-9) worked around seven hits and tied for the major league lead in wins and shutouts.

St. Louis has won four of five and kept its advantage over second-place Pittsburgh. Milwaukee dropped 2 1/2 games behind the Pirates for the second NL wild-card spot.

Mike Fiers (6-3) held the Cardinals hitless until Wainwright singled up the middle with two outs in the sixth. It was Fiers’ first start since beaning Miami’s Giancarlo Stanton last week, ending his season.

Wainwright struck out seven and walked two in his ninth career shutout. He has thrown three shutouts this year, matching Detroit’s Rick Porcello and Miami’s Henderson Alvarez for most in the majors.

Wainwright and Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw are atop the majors in wins.

This was the Cardinals’ 21st shutout of the season, their most since 1968 when Bob Gibson and the rest of the staff had 30.

Fiers gave up one earned run and three hits in seven innings.

The Cardinals broke through in the seventh. After hit a drive that went about 3 feet wide of the foul pole, Matt Holliday walked with one out and reached third on Matt Adams’ single, continuing home when Gold Glove center fielder Carlos Gomez slipped and mishandled the hit for an error.

Jhonny Peralta singled home Adams.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: RHP Michael Wacha, whose last start was skipped after he struggled in his return from a shoulder injury, is scheduled to start Saturday against Cincinnati. In two starts this month, he pitched seven innings and had a 7.71 ERA. Wacha threw his third bullpen session since his last start on Wednesday and did enough to convince manager Mike Matheny he was ready.

UP NEXT

Brewers: Kyle Lohse (12-9, 3.81 ERA) pitches Thursday night against the Cardinals. He has lost five of his past six decisions, including twice to St. Louis. In those two losses, in which he lasted four innings both times, Lohse gave up 14 runs on 13 hits, including four homers.

Cardinals: Shelby Miller (10-9, 3.75) has given up one earned run over 20 innings in three starts this month. He has won his past two decisions, following four consecutive no decisions. Miller won both of his starts against Milwaukee this season, giving up four runs in 12 innings.

— Associated Press —

Despite Short Week It’s Business as Usual For Kansas State

Posted on September 17, 2014

The Kansas State Wildcats are coming off of a bye week last week and are preparing for a Thursday night match up with 5th ranked Auburn at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

Due to the short week it required Coach Bill Snyder to move up his practice schedule a couple of days.

“We started our week of practice on Saturday, which was Monday for us, and we worked on Sunday which was Tuesday for us and so on down the road. They’re in a normal game week mode starting on Saturday. Previous to that we had practice, we had taken a couple of days off but we had practice as well,” says Snyder.

Both Kansas State and Auburn had bye weeks last week which benefited both teams according to Snyder. He explained that a team can invest that extra time doing things that you haven’t put on the field before.

“So your opponent has no earthly idea that that’s what they’re going to see. I hope we see what we have seen in the past. Plus just seeing it is not the answer, we’ve got to be able to play well against it both offensively and defensively. Comes down to the same thing no matter who you are playing.”

Jake Waters explained that as a player you have to block everything out and it is game day even though it is a Thursday. With the pushed back practice week Tuesday is ran like a Thursday. Waters said that in the class room it may feel like a Tuesday but when he gets to practice it’s just like a Thursday.

“Out on the field with how long we’ve been preparing with the off week, you know it does. It does feel like a Thursday knowing this is our last day to get on the field and correct everything and get ready to play our best ball game,” said Waters.

Kansas State and Auburn kick off Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. from Bill Snyder Family Stadium. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN. The radio broadcast on the K-State Sports Network will begin at 4:30 p.m. and can be heard on 1420 AM KJCK, The Talk of JC.

Missouri Western hires Chris Canady as women’s tennis coach

Posted on September 17, 2014

Missouri Western State University Director of Athletics Kurt McGuffin has announced the hiring of Chris Canady as Head Women’s Tennis Coach at MWSU.

“I am excited to welcome Chris to our department and family,” McGuffin said. “He is from Missouri and played and coached at MIAA foe Southwest Baptist. He brings a pedigree of having been in successful programs and it is my belief he will build a tradition of excellence both on and off the court with our tennis team.”

Canady replaces Tom Smith, who took over the program in 2013 after a 25 year run as the head men’s basketball coach at Missouri Western. Canady will officially take over the program in October. He becomes Missouri Western’s first full-time women’s tennis coach.

“I want to thank Coach Smith for everything he has done the last few months as tennis coach. He stepped up and did our department a huge service and has done everything I asked him to do, and more, when he agreed to take this position,” McGuffin said.

Most recently, Canady has been the director of high performance for Upper St. Clair Tennis Development in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Canady is familiar with the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association, having played and coached at Southwest Baptist University.

Since joining USC Tennis Development Program in 2011, Canady worked tirelessly developing a culture that helped produce numerous nationally and sectionally ranked players. Players Canady has worked with in the program have attended some of the top tennis programs in the country.

“Having both competed and coached in the MIAA, I have a clear understanding of what it takes to be successful at this level,” Canady said. “Combining that with all the experience I have gained over the last six years coaching at the Division I level and developing high performance junior players, I am confident we can have MWSU competing for MIAA championships in relatively short order.”

After graduating with a B.S. in recreation from SBU in 2007, Canady worked as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, helping both the men’s and women’s tennis programs claim MIAA championships in 2008. Canady then moved on to Stony Brook University where he assisted both the men’s and women’s tennis programs for two seasons (2008-2010), focusing on player development and domestic recruiting. Since then, Canady has been a volunteer assistant with the California University of Pennsylvania women’s team, primarily working on international recruitment.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Royals’ bullpen struggles in 7-5 loss to Chicago

Posted on September 17, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kelvin Herrera and Wade Davis both gave up runs for the first time in nearly three months as the Kansas City Royals’ dominant bullpen was touched up Tuesday night in a 7-5 loss to the Chicago White Sox.

Davis replaced Herrera with two on in the seventh inning and walked Jose Abreu to load the bases for Conor Gillaspie, who cleared them with a triple to right-center on a 2-2 pitch to give Chicago a 7-5 lead.

That ended Herrera’s scoreless streak at 30 2/3 innings, dating to June 24. Also snapped was Davis’ shutout streak of 31 2/3 innings, a club record for a reliever, with the first run charged to him since June 25.

The rare bullpen failure prevented Kansas City from gaining ground on AL Central leader Detroit, which lost at Minnesota. The Royals remained 1 1/2 games behind the Tigers, but still lead Seattle for the second wild-card spot.

Kansas City used nine pitchers, a club record for a nine-inning game, in a contest that lasted 4 hours, 16 minutes — the longest nine-inning game in Royals history.

Nori Aoki had his second straight four-hit game, including a sixth-inning single that put the Royals up 5-4, but this time the bullpen couldn’t hold it.

Adam Eaton had four hits, matching his career high, and scored two runs for Chicago.

Royals manager Ned Yost went to his bullpen early when starter Liam Hendriks was pulled after three-plus innings. He gave up four runs on seven hits and a walk.

In his past three outings, Hendriks has allowed 11 runs and 18 hits in 9 1/3 innings.

White Sox rookie right-hander Chris Bassitt also failed to make it out of the fourth. He threw 94 pitches in 3 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on six hits and four walks.

Eric Surkamp (2-0) got the win, and Zach Putnam worked a perfect ninth for his fifth save.

TRAINER’S ROOM

White Sox: DH-1B Paul Konerko, who has not played since breaking his left hand on Sept. 2, took extended batting practice. “When he’s fit to play he’ll get some time,” manager Robin Ventura said. “I don’t necessarily want him going out there not having swung a bat in two weeks. He’ll get an at-bat here or there to acclimate him.”

Royals: LHP Danny Duffy, who skipped two starts because of a sore shoulder, threw a four-inning simulated game. “There’s nothing wrong,” Duffy said. “I felt stronger than I did for about the past month.” He is slated to start Monday in Cleveland.

UP NEXT

White Sox: LHP Chris Sale, an AL Cy Young Award contender, starts the series finale. He has trouble with Royals DH Billy Butler, who has a .359 career average against him with three home runs, two doubles and 10 RBIs in 39 at-bats.

Royals: RHP Yordano Ventura has nine made consecutive quality starts, a club record for rookies.

— Associated Press —

Griffon volleyball gets swept by No. 14 Central Missouri

Posted on September 16, 2014September 17, 2014

The Missouri Western volleyball team battled through three close sets Tuesday night, eventually falling to No. 14 Central Missouri 3-0.

The Griffons dropped the first set 25-23, then lost the second 25-18 before falling 26-24 in the third after allowing the Mules to come back.

MWSU spread offense around but no players finished with double-digit kills. Erica Rottinghaus led the team with nine. Jordan Chohon finished with 27 assists. Sarah Faubel led the team with 12 digs, followed by 11 from Rottinghaus.

The loss dropped the Griffons to 6-3 on the year and 0-1 in MIAA play. They host Emporia State in the MWSU Fieldhouse Friday night.

— MWSU Sports Information —

St. Louis loses to Milwaukee in 12 innings

Posted on September 16, 2014September 17, 2014

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Carlos Gomez walked, stole second and third and scored the go-ahead run on a bloop hit by rookie Hector Gomez in the 12th inning as the Milwaukee Brewers ended the NL Central-leading St. Louis Cardinals’ three-game winning streak with a 3-2 victory Tuesday night.

Brandon Kintzler (3-3) got the last out in the 11th and Francisco Rodriguez closed for his 42nd save in 47 chances. The third-place Brewers have won five of six and are four games back of St. Louis, which has a 2 1/2-game lead on Pittsburgh with 11 to go.

Gerardo Parra homered and rookie Matt Clark’s sacrifice fly tied it against Trevor Rosenthal in the ninth. The Cardinals were blanked on four hits over the last 11 innings after jumping on Wily Peralta for two quick runs in the first.

Lance Lynn worked seven strong innings for St. Louis before Rosenthal was saddled with his sixth blown save in 50 chances.

The Cardinals opened the first with three straight singles and Matt Adams walked on a full count for an RBI, the last two pitches high and well out of the strike zone. A second run scored on a double-play ball by Jhonny Peralta, 2 for 15 with the bases loaded.

Peralta also went seven innings and gave up just two hits in the last six, finishing the year 3-1 with a 2.18 ERA against St. Louis.

The Brewers dropped three of four at home to St. Louis last week and are 7-10 overall against the Cardinals.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: RHP Michael Wacha is scheduled to throw in the bullpen Wednesday. He missed his last turn due to ineffectiveness coming off the disabled list from a shoulder injury.

BIG CROWD

Paid attendance of 44,529 was the 47th sellout with five home games to go. Although there were hundreds of empty seats, the Cardinals have capitalized on the Ballpark Village development.

UP NEXT

Brewers: Mike Fiers (6-2, 1.84 ERA) makes his first start since hitting Giancarlo Stanton in the face with a pith last week. Fiers is 2-0 with a 1.31 ERA in five career games against St. Louis, two of them starts.

Cardinals: Adam Wainwright (18-9, 2.56) has won three straight starts, and he beat the Brewers with a complete game his last time out. Wainwright is 11-7 with a 2.43 ERA in his career against Milwaukee, and 2-1 with a 4.22 ERA in three starts this season.

— Associated Press —

Missouri Western women’s golf team finishes 4th at NSU Invitational

Posted on September 16, 2014September 16, 2014

The Missouri Western women’s golf team finished in fourth place on Tuesday after completing the final round of the Northeastern State University Golf Classic in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

MWSU sat in fourth place after day one and held their ground with a 312 team score in the second round. The winner of the tournament was Central Oklahoma winning with a team score of 604 through the two days of competition.

Maidson Romjue again set the pace for the Griffons with a 73 second round. She finished the tournament with a 148 placing her in a tie for third place. The other top-10 finisher for MWSU was Celine Lim she recorded a total score of 153 placing her in eighth place.

Arkansas Tech’s Megan Jeffery and Central Oklahoma’s Marla Souvannasing finished the tournament atop the leader board shooting a 147 in the two rounds of golf.

The Griffons are back in action on Sept. 29-30 at the Fort Hays State University Invitational with an expected start time of 8 a.m.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Grand jury to weigh case of NASCAR’s Tony Stewart

Posted on September 16, 2014

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (AP) — A grand jury will decide whether NASCAR driver Tony Stewart will be charged in the August death of a fellow driver at a sprint car race in upstate New York.

Ontario County District Attorney Michael Tantillo said Tuesday that after reviewing evidence collected by sheriff’s investigators, he has decided to present it to a grand jury. Tantillo could have determined there was not enough evidence to support charges and dropped the case.

Stewart’s car struck and killed Kevin Ward Jr. at a dirt-track race in Canandaigua on Aug. 9. The 20-year-old had climbed from his car after it had spun while racing alongside Stewart.

Stewart issued a statement saying he looks forward to the process being completed and will continue to cooperate.